If Victor Thompson had hair covering his Patriots-emblazoned skull, he admits he probably would have been pulling it out Sunday evening as New England went down to defeat in Super Bowl XLII.

For the New York Giants, the 17-14 win was the realization of one of the biggest upsets in NFL history.

But the man who tattooed his head like Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's helmet is definitely in the dumps.

"The minute the Giants got that (last second) touchdown I knew it was done ... it killed me," said Thompson.

Thompson, 39, of Laconia has gained both local and national attention for a stunt that saw him getting the Patriots logo tattooed on both sides of his shaved head and Brady's number 12 on the back along with the American flag.

The longtime fan grew up in Lowell, Mass., and was determined to support his team and its then-perfect season by making his skull a shrine to its season by transforming it into a replica of Brady's helmet.

Thompson's fanatical support of the team first appeared in a story in The Citizen and had legs, eventually getting picked up by Boston area newspapers and eventually ESPN The Magazine.

He went into Sunday night's big game hoping for another Patriots Super Bowl victory — an achievement that had him thinking of tattooing the Vince Lombardi Trophy on the top of his head.

Like many Patriots fans, Thompson went into the game with the utmost confidence but cringed as he watched a late fourth quarter drive by Brady that resulted in a touchdown eventually get squandered as the Giants marched down the field for a win in the final minute.

Thompson said he awoke this morning hoping it was a nightmare.

"After the game ended I started (partying) ... I woke up drunk. It was a good thing I had my helmet on," said Thompson with a laugh.

The hard core fan said he was confident that the Patriots would win even when they weren't playing well on Sunday night.

He said he still loves the team and Brady, but expressed some frustration that their intensity didn't seem to be at the same level as the Giants.

Like many, he questioned whether Brady's girlfriend — Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen — might have been a distraction during the times that came between the AFC Championship and the Super Bowl.

"Brady was playing with his old lady all week," said Thompson as he slumped in a chair and recalled the game.

However, don't think Thompson regrets getting his Patriots ink done to celebrate what was a remarkable season.

"I did it for myself and for the season. I am just supporting my team," said Thompson.

He noted that he still has plans to get New England's other championship Super Bowl years tattooed on his head.

Thompson said the trophy will have to wait.

"Maybe next year. As Brady said (after the game) ... we will be back."

Until then Thompson has tentative plans to get his entire head tattooed silver like the real helmet and he is still working on getting Brady himself to sign his skull with a tattoo gun to make it official.